But when he started to scrape at the hole again his claws hurt too much to keep on digging out the hard-packed earth. Frustrated, Toklo paced up and down for a while, trying to decide what to do. His belly was bawling even louder now, but there didn’t seem to be any prey close by his den.

I’ll go this way, he said to himself at last, setting out in the opposite direction from the meadow where he had encountered the other bear.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, he worked his way deeper into the forest, crossing a wooded spur that thrust out from the ridge. A stream tumbled down to the valley bottom, and Toklo splashed through it, grateful for the bubbling water on his sore claws, and its icy coolness when he stopped to quench his thirst. Strength began to return to his muscles as he scrambled up rocks and bounded down slopes covered with lush undergrowth. The trees cast their shade over him, filling the air with the murmuring of their leaves.

He still hadn’t found any prey when he came to another stream where berry bushes were growing close to the water on the other side. As he waded across to the opposite bank he heard a rustling sound among the bushes. Another bear was in his territory!

‘Get out!’ Toklo roared, charging towards it.

He skidded to a stop as a small black bear scrambled out of the bushes, staring at him with fear in its eyes. It backed away, letting out a terrified whimper, and Toklo took a pace backwards. Suddenly he could see Lusa gazing at him from the dark, frightened eyes of the other bear. Sensing that it wasn’t about to be attacked, the black bear whipped around and fled.

As the little bear scuttled away, a scoffing voice spoke behind Toklo. ‘Ooh! You’re so brave! No black bears in your territory!’

Toklo spun around to see the other brown bear emerging from behind a nearby tree.

Wincing inwardly, Toklo let out a growl as he stepped forward. ‘What do you want?’ He bared his teeth. If he wants another fight, he can have one!

But the other bear didn’t move towards him. ‘I’m just exploring,’ he said. ‘Hunting. Watching.’

‘But this is my territory,’ Toklo reminded him.

The brown bear snorted. ‘No, it’s not. I told you, you don’t belong here.’

Rage began to mount inside Toklo. ‘I’ve built a den!’ he protested.

‘What? That little scrape in the earth back there? I thought that was a ground squirrel hole.’ The brown bear’s eyes were gleaming with mockery. ‘Do your ears fit in? At least your head will be above water if it floods.’